While it's not time to panic, whatever DeMarcus Cousins did to get kicked out of practice isn't the kind of stuff the Kings want to see from their prized rookie.
Kings coach Paul Westphal wouldn't say if Cousins mouthed off or what action led to the move. He said it was a decision to help Cousins continue to "develop."
It's very possible Cousins might have tested his boundaries with the coaching staff and the staff pushed back. Kings coach Paul Westphal has spoken about Cousins' being vocal when he doesn't know why he's being told to do something before going along with it. Until I get in touch with Cousins, I'm just making an educated guess.
The Kings still like Cousins and have every intention of helping him improve his shooting (a team-worst 38.4 percent), fouls (league-leading 4.2 per game) and turnovers (2.4 per game).
Cousins is still one of four rookies averaging double figures in scoring (10.3 points) and is third among rookies in rebounding (6.7)
And the Kings don't want Cousins to play without emotion. But even he knows he has control it.
Now onto other news:
*Is Tyreke Evans a point guard?
No.
Evans isn't Steve Nash, Chris Paul, Rajon Rondo, Jason Kidd, Deron Williams, etc.
But Westphal said he isn't asking Evans to be a point guard.
"We don't technically have a point guard in our system," Westphal said. We have two guards who handle the ball and Tyreke's capable of guarding the point guard. He's capable of guarding the off guard and sometimes the three man. So I don't even get into the discussion of whether Tyreke's a point or not. It's pretty much irrelevant to me."
Westphal said the staff is working with Evans on how to make quicker and better decisions with the ball. That includes initiating the offense faster when he has the ball and what to do if the offense starts late. They also want to see Evans use a jump stop more and not pick up offensive fouls running over opponents after passing.
The way Evans moved the ball and made quick decisons Saturday against Chicago is how the Kings envision using Evans as a playmaker.
*Hassan Whiteside has been assigned to the Reno Bighorns of the NBA Development League. Westphal said Whiteside was disappointed, but told him he isn't being demoted in a negative way. Whiteside is raw and needs to play.
He's not going to get playing time anytime soon on the Kings behind Samuel Dalembert, Jason Thompson, Carl Landry, Darnell Jackson or Cousins at power forward or center.
Whiteside will now play for former Kings coach Eric Musselman.
*The Kings waived Antoine Wright. The move was surprising considering Wright's one-year deal was guaranteed for $992,680.
But Wright wasn't happy with his role. He played in only seven games, totaling two points and three rebounds. Rather than have someone at the end of the bench unhappy, the Kings chose to let Wright walk.
Simply, it was a situation that wasn't going to work for either party.
*Jason Thompson will stay in the starting lineup with Carl Landry coming off the bench.
*Evans was sick and didn't practice today. Francisco Garcia practiced today after missing two games because he was sick. Westphal said Garcia still isn't 100 percent.
--Jason Jones
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